The 2022 NBA All-Star Game makes its return to Cleveland this weekend, paving the way for the sport’s biggest stars to take the stage on the banks of the Cuyahoga.
Though Ohio sports betting won’t launch until Jan. 1, 2023 at the latest, NBA bettors can still get into the action by traveling to neighboring states such as Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia.
It was much the same for last week’s Super Bowl, as Cincinnati Bengals fans had to go to other states to place their bets.
The 2022 NBA All-Star Game tips off at 8 p.m. EST on Sunday from Rocket Mortgage Field House on TNT and TBS. All-Star Saturday Night, featuring the 3-point and slam dunk contests, is at 8 p.m. on TNT.
What to Know About 2022 NBA All-Star Game
The 2022 NBA All-Star Game will feature two teams, hand-picked by MVP’s LeBron James and Kevin Durant, marking James’ latest return to Cleveland.
The festivities mark the first time since 1997 and third time overall Cleveland has hosted the All-Star Game.
Although mobile sports betting is still months away, the Cavaliers are already lining up sponsorship deals. The team secured a deal with Fubo Gaming in early February that makes Fubo Sportsbook its Official Mobile Sports Betting Partner.
In the runup to Sunday’s ASG, the NBA will bring back its slate of exhibition events, such as the NBA Celebrity Game, Rising Stars Challenge, Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, and Slam Dunk Contest.
The league is also hosting the NBA Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Classic between Howard and Morgan State on Saturday at the Wolstein Center, home of Cleveland State University. Each team receives $100,000 in donations from the NBA and AT&T as part of the event.
The NBA HBCU Classic will be televised on TNT and ESPN2 at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Breaking Down the NBA ASG Weekend Odds
BetMGM Ohio Sportsbook has Team LeBron at -6 (-110), with a moneyline of -255 and an over/under of 319.5 (-110) total points. Caesars Sportsbook lists Team LeBron at -5.5 (-110) and -220, with an over/under of 320.5 (-110).
Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen and guard Darius Garland will play for Team LeBron on Sunday, under the tutelage of coach Monty Williams of the Phoenix Suns.
In the Skills Challenge, FanDuel Sportsbook lists Team Cavs in second (with Allen, Garland, and Evan Mobley) at +240, behind Team Rookies (-165) and in front of Team Antetokounmpo (+390).
In the Rising Stars Tournament, which has two Cavaliers players in it (Mobley and Isaac Okoro on Team Rick Barry), Team Isiah Thomas is the favorite on FanDuel (+170), followed by Team Barry (+260), Team Gary Payton (+300), and Team James Worthy (+350).
In this year’s 3-point contest, FanDuel Sportsbook has Patty Mills and Fred VanVleet as the odds leaders at +440 each, followed by Trae Young (+490), Desmond Bane (+550), Zach Lavine and Luke Kennard (+600), CJ McCollum (+950), and Karl-Anthony Towns (+1200).
